george carlin – Organic Authorityhttp://www.organicauthority.com
Organic Authority - organic food, organic living, green living, organic thoughts.Thu, 17 Aug 2017 17:10:15 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.7.4What Does ‘Natural’ Mean to You?http://www.organicauthority.com/what-does-natural-mean-to-you/
Thu, 23 Jan 2014 08:00:12 +0000http://www.organicauthority.com/?p=27261In August of last year, Pepsico’s Naked Juice division settled a lawsuit for $9 million over misuse of the word “natural” to describe some of its products. What could be more natural than juice? As it turns out, the juice wasn’t all that natural. Some contained synthetic ingredients (in the brand’s smoothies, not juices), and […]

In August of last year, Pepsico’s Naked Juice division settled a lawsuit for $9 million over misuse of the word “natural” to describe some of its products. What could be more natural than juice?

As it turns out, the juice wasn’t all that natural. Some contained synthetic ingredients (in the brand’s smoothies, not juices), and there were also concerns that some of the products also contained genetically modified ingredients.

Naked Juice was not the first company to face lawsuits over the use of the word “natural” (and derivations). Campbell’s Soup, Tropicana, Cargill, ConAgra, Tostitos, SunChips, Snapple and Ben & Jerry’s ice cream have all faced similar suits for making “natural” claims on foods that either contain genetically modified ingredients, or chemicals and processes that “do not occur in nature.”

Comedian George Carlin pointed out that everything on our planet is “natural” as the definition of the word means “of nature.” Meteors and aliens aside, we can see that he’s not wrong, not technically, even when it comes to genetically modified corn chips.

So, why then are companies being sued left and right over such an ostensibly harmless—and quite literally—accurate word? Even the “natural food” sector has seen its share of issues. Barbara’s Bakery, Kashi, Whole Foods Market and Peace cereal brands were all exposed as containing genetically modified ingredients even despite their longstanding placement in health food stores across the country.

USA Today reports, “Part of the problem, lawyers agree, is that consumers are looking for healthier products, and companies have responded by creating and branding their products as ‘all natural.'” But the result has been costly for big food companies. Brands have begun ditching the word from products and marketing materials because of the growing number of lawsuits. Campaigns like Green America’s GMO Inside have been so effective at putting pressure on brands that both General Mills and Post recently announced their flagship cereals—Cheerios and Grape-Nuts—are now GMO-free. Grape-Nuts has even received Non-GMO Project verification. Vani Hari, the blogger better known as “Food Babe” exposed Chik-fil-A’s ingredients, and the company wound up reformulating and removing many of the questionable ingredients after she visited their headquarters. She was also instrumental in getting Kraft to remove some of the artificial colors from its Macaroni and Cheese product.

But if consumers are looking for healthier foods—and if organic options aren’t always available or affordable—”natural” starts to look pretty appealing. And it’s the brands’ use of the term that leads the customers to believe that a can of soup or bag of chips is the second-best thing to organic. “All natural”, “just like nature intended”, “pure and natural” – declarations like those go further than just observing that the ingredients are all sourced from planet earth—they imply a wholesomeness, a minimalist approach to processed foods, that in reality, are reliant on genetically modified and artificial ingredients as well as chemical processes.

Consumers would love to see regulations on the term “natural” but FDA won’t touch it, because it would be virtually impossible to define, like Carlin observed. How do you define something that’s applicable to everything?

What we can hope for, though, is more brands beginning to ditch the term altogether. And if the government won’t regulate what natural is, perhaps they will clarify what it isn’t. Artificial colors, artificial flavors, GMOs, refined flours and sugars, trans fats, isolates, would be good places to start.

And it’s not just “natural” anymore, either. Chobani yogurt, which includes milk from cows who ate GMO grains, uses “real” as a “natural” alternative. “Pure”, “simple”, “authentic”—they’re all vying for our predisposition towards wholesome foods—an oxymoron when discussing processed, packaged food. The lawsuits are likely to start rolling in soon enough over those words, too.

So we have to ask ourselves what “natural” means to us. Since no regulations exist, we’ve got to become a governing agency over our own bodies. Over our grocery carts. Yes, it means more work. It means reading labels. Using smart phones to look up ingredients and brands. We really don’t have excuses anymore if we want to eat a clean diet. If we want it to be natural, it’s up to us to be the judge and jury. And we all have the ability to do it. It’s a natural skill called survival.

]]>Naturally… GMO Foods Labeled 'Natural' Land Manufacturers in Courthttp://www.organicauthority.com/blog/organic/naturally-gmo-foods-labeled-natural-land-manufacturers-in-court/
Thu, 22 Sep 2011 07:00:39 +0000http://www.organicauthority.com/blog/?p=10111The late comedian George Carlin once elucidated the word “natural”. He said: “Everything is natural. Everything in the universe is part of nature. Polyester, pesticides, oil slicks, and whoopee cushions. Nature is not just trees and flowers. It’s everything. Human beings are part of nature. And if a human being invents something, that’s part of […]

The late comedian George Carlin once elucidated the word “natural”. He said: “Everything is natural. Everything in the universe is part of nature. Polyester, pesticides, oil slicks, and whoopee cushions. Nature is not just trees and flowers. It’s everything. Human beings are part of nature. And if a human being invents something, that’s part of nature, too.”

But despite Carlin’s observation of this inherent truth, “natural” is a contentious claim, especially if it happens to be made by a major food manufacturer using controversial ingredients, such as genetically modified foods, as a recent Wall Street Journalarticle explored.

At the heart of the “natural” controversy is the absence of any government agency’s clear definition for the term. Unlike “organic,” which is regulated by the USDA and requires third party certification, random audits and costly paperwork for any farmer or manufacturer making organic product claims, “natural” is not bound to any real regulation. And, with a growing concern over food safety and quality, many Americans see the word natural as interchangeable with organic, despite significant differences.

The FDA does have an “informal policy” on the word “natural,” which claims that nothing using that term can be made with anything artificial or synthetic. This loose definition landed ConAgra’s Wesson Oil in court for their “100 % Natural” canola oil, made from genetically modified canola. The USDA defines “genetically modified” as any organism that undergoes a technique that alters or moves genetic material of living cells from their natural state, which would thereby make GMO seeds such as Monsanto corn, soy and canola no longer “natural.” According to the California Department of Food, more than 70 percent of all processed food currently sold in the U.S. contains some sort of genetically modified ingredients.

Other “natural” violators include Kashi—the well known wholesome-positioned brand of breakfast cereals and snack bars—and Arizona Iced Tea’s “100 %” Natural” Green Tea, which contains high fructose corn syrup made from GMO corn. Their misleading “natural” claims have also led to lawsuit settlements estimated in the millions, while the manufacturers lay the blame on the FDA—citing their lack of a clear definition on the term “natural” to include the ingredients in question.

But regulating the word natural is still a long way off–if ever. What might be more likely–and seems to be gaining more support–is clear labeling of foods containing genetically modified ingredients. California voters are hoping to see the GMO issue on 2012 ballots and organizations like the Right2KnowMarch are working to raise consumer awareness with their 313-mile walk from New York City to Washington D.C. next month.

]]>'All Natural' Confusing and Misleading Consumershttp://www.organicauthority.com/blog/organic/all-natural-organic-confusing-and-misleading-consumers/
Wed, 05 Jan 2011 13:30:09 +0000http://www.organicauthority.com/blog/?p=8460For all the confusion about diet and health in America, it turns out consumers are a lot smarter than they may seem — at least when it comes to claims of natural versus organic, according to a recent survey. Pavone, a Harrisburg, PA marketing agency researched the purchasing decisions of more than 350 adults, primarily […]

For all the confusion about diet and health in America, it turns out consumers are a lot smarter than they may seem — at least when it comes to claims of natural versus organic, according to a recent survey.

Pavone, a Harrisburg, PA marketing agency researched the purchasing decisions of more than 350 adults, primarily how they make the distinction between products labeled organic and all-natural, with the majority of participants recognizing organic to be the healthier choice.

Because of the USDA’s National Organic Program (in effect since 2002), consumers have been educated on the benefits of eating certified organically grown or raised products — mainly due to the absence of antibiotics, pesticides, hormones and other contaminants, as well as the benefits to the air, water and soil as a result of cleaner farming methods. Lists such as “the dirty dozen” and “clean fifteen” have also shed light on the most heavily sprayed or treated conventional crops and when it’s best to opt for organic. But “natural,” it seems, has become a bit of a trouble spot for consumers.

The word “natural” as the late comedian George Carlin said really refers to everything on the planet, as it all comes — in one form or another — from nature. And so therein also is the dilemma for consumers, it appears. As they become more intelligent about organic versus conventional, the skepticism over the vagueness of natural is growing. Unregulated and a daunting task to do so, natural has come to mean “nothing artificial” as in chemically produced colors, flavors or additives, but it’s not always the case. Manufacturers bear the onus to educate and qualify any statements claiming their products to be natural and when left to marketing departments, natural can be as loosely defined as Carlin’s observation.

Does this mean regulations are ahead for the term natural? The organic certification program seems to have come at precisely the right time and grown accordingly with the health food industry’s expansion, but to insert natural regulations now could be somewhat of a logistical nightmare. Still, in a recent study conducted by Mango Sprouts Marketing, 65 percent of participants said they would like to see the term natural certified.

]]>Community Gardens Growing in New Jerseyhttp://www.organicauthority.com/foodie-buzz/community-gardens-growing-in-new-jersey.html
Wed, 03 Nov 2010 20:37:50 +0000http://www.organicauthority.com/s1-foodie-buzz/c4-foodie-buzz/community-gardens-growing-in-new-jersey/Despite its reputation, New Jersey is actually called “The Garden State.” George Carlin once poked fun at that, saying, “Sure, if you’re growing smoke stacks, yes.” I live in Jersey, and George is right – well, half right. Nowadays, believe it or not, community gardens – a very NOT smoke stacks sort of thing – […]

Despite its reputation, New Jersey is actually called “The Garden State.” George Carlin once poked fun at that, saying, “Sure, if you’re growing smoke stacks, yes.” I live in Jersey, and George is right – well, half right.

To be honest, Camden does not have the best reputation. Most people in New Jersey will shudder at its mention. Camden has a lot of crime, so to hear community gardening is popular in Camden is pretty surreal.

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania found in 2009, Camden gardeners harvested nearly 139,000 servings of fruits and vegetables. This is great news, because today healthy foods, like fresh produce, can be hard to find in urban areas. Big super markets offering a vast array of foods are leaving cities, giving way to smaller convenience stores selling low-cast junk foods.

In 2009, Camden had 80 gardens, but in 2010, the city created 15 new gardens and many of the new gardens are bigger than the existing plots.

A major reason for the growth of community gardens is the decline of the U.S. economy and increasing food prices.

Communal gardens – or maybe just the act of growing something – can be a powerful tool for uniting a community. Some prisons are actually setting up gardens for inmates. And you can do it to, not the jail thing. Go and organize a “rain garden” with your friends. Try it. What else do you have to do?

]]>6 Tips on How to Adjust to Life After Plastic Bagshttp://www.organicauthority.com/sanctuary/6-tips-on-how-to-adjust-to-life-after-plastic-bags.html
Wed, 22 Sep 2010 12:08:30 +0000http://www.organicauthority.com/s2-sanctuary/c5-sanctuary/6-tips-on-how-to-adjust-to-life-after-plastic-bags/California tried, but earlier this month, the state Senate did not ban single-use plastic bags from use by state retailers. There are at least nineteen billion reasons why they should have been (that’s how many plastic bags Californians use each year), but even more reasons (read: lobbyists) that they weren’t. If you’re not sure what’s […]

California tried, but earlier this month, the state Senate did not ban single-use plastic bags from use by state retailers. There are at least nineteen billion reasons why they should have been (that’s how many plastic bags Californians use each year), but even more reasons (read: lobbyists) that they weren’t.

If you’re not sure what’s so wrong with plastic bags in the first place, the situation is this: about 50 million or so years ago, people were not people, but big ugly dinosaurs. Some were kind of cute, but most not so much. It didn’t matter though because they all died and turned into big pools of underground oil, which we now lap up like it’s free champagne at the office Christmas party. These dead dinosaurs cause wars, destroy the environment and are turned into plastic, especially bags, which collate out in the Pacific ocean creating a massive garbage heap twice the size of Texas.

The late, great comedian, George Carlin, once suggested that perhaps humankind’s sole purpose is to make plastic, since nature can’t seem to do it on her own. I say we’re creating new dinosaurs out of old dinosaurs and the best way to make sure plastic bags do see extinction is by not using them at all. Here are some tips:

1. You hear it all the time, but, seriously, bring your own bag. Do it! Canvas is sturdier anyway. No, you won’t look like a hippie.

2. Don’t buy things that come in plastic bags, especially if it’s food. You know that stuff’s bad for you. Buy a banana and call it a day.

3. Why is it so hard to just carry stuff? You buy 3 books and a calendar—do you really need a bag to carry it in? Geesh.

4. Reuse the ones you have. Double bag if you need to, but use them until they’re useless. Then, opt for non-plastic options.

6. Talk about it. People are much more open-minded than we often give them credit for. Some just don’t have the time to comprehend why we need to get off of plastic. It’s understandable. Don’t judge. Help and share. That’s how the world becomes a better place.